Forsythia x intermedia 'Lynwood' Common name: Forsythia Family: Oleaceae Vital statistics Height and spread: 3m (10ft) high and wide Form: Deciduous shrub Soil: Moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Aspect: Full sun or partial shade. Hardiness: Hardy throughout the British Isles.

Forsythia x intermedia @ Wisley

Forsythia x intermedia grows in many places around the Garden at Wisley. F. x intermedia 'Lynwood' grows at the back of Seven Acres, and is featured in The Family Garden. F. x intermedia 'Beatrix Farrand' is alongside the path between the Canal Borders and Seven Acres. In the southern part of the Arboretum is the forsythia collection, with examples of both species and cultivars.

Forsythia

Forsythia contains seven species of deciduous shrubs that reach up to 4 x 2m (13x6.5ft). The four-petalled yellow flowers are borne on bare stems before the leaves come out in spring. The genus is native to East Asia and central Europe.

One of the earliest to flower is F. giraldiana, in late February. Forsythias are easy to grow in the open or trained to a north-facing wall. Some make good informal screen, such as Forsythia x intermedia 'Spectabilis'. Most are tolerant of urban pollution.

F. suspensa var. sieboldii will trail down steep slopes and has a semi-climbing habit near trees.

F. viridissima 'Bronxensis' is a compact plant, and a suitable size for a rock garden. It is, though, more frost susceptible.

Forsythia stems can be cut and forced indoors to induce earlier flowering.

William Forsyth (1737-1804) had this genus named in his honour. He was a head gardener at Kensington, and a founder member of the Horticultural Society of London, which later became the Royal Horticultural Society.

Forsythia x intermedia

Forsythia x intermedia is a garden hybrid of F. suspensa and F. viridissima.

'Lynwood' was first raised in 1935 in Northern Ireland, and is one of the most popular cultivars due to its abundance of flowers. If left unpruned it can reach up to 3m (10ft) tall.

The cultivar 'Lynwood' is a sport of 'Spectabilis'. 'Lynwood' is semi-erect with upright arching stems, and with larger flowers, and 'Spectabilis' is an upright form, but both are used for hedging.

Numerous other cultivars include 'Arnold Giant', 'Karl Sax' and 'Beatrix Farrand' which has large flowers, up to 3cm (1.25in) in diameter.

F. 'Fiesta' is a golden leaved forsythia that adds additional brightness to a border all through the spring and summer.

AGM

The RHS Floral B Committee awarded Forsythia x intermedia 'Lynwood' an Award of Garden Merit and described it as a: Vigorous medium-sized deciduous shrub, upright in growth, with narrowly ovate or sometimes trifoliate leaves. Flowers relatively large, bright yellow, with broad petals.

Cultivation

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in a well drained ordinary garden soil but prefers a rich soil. It is tolerant of limy soils. It prefers a sunny position but succeeds in semi-shade.

Any pruning out of weak shoots, plus any trimming of hedges, is best done after the plant has flowered. Occasional rejuvenation pruning may help older plants.

Birds may destroy the flower buds.

This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus.

Propagation

Sow seed in spring in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates within two months. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. As this plant is a hybrid seed may not come true to type.

Root greenwood cuttings in late spring or early summer, or semi-ripe cuttings in late summer. Plant out in autumn or spring.